DuVal's appointment was effective Jan. 2, the day Trible took over as president of the university.

The mayor said he has long wanted to help CNU become a leading player on the Peninsula, and serving on the board ensures that he can.

``I hope to build bridges from CNU to the community and from the community to CNU,'' he said.

``Great cities have great universities. This city will be stronger if CNU is stronger.''

DuVal said he comes to the board "looking forward," and had nothing to say about the lucrative severance package of Trible's predecessor, Anthony Santoro. DuVal also remained silent on Trible's appointment, which has raised questions because Trible headed the search committee that recommended him.

"It's time for the board to support the president," DuVal said.

"It's time for the community to support the president."

DuVal already has a number of specific goals to work toward at CNU:

* Ensuring the use of Ferguson High School, which CNU bought from the city for $10 million, "to its fullest potential." The purchase "was a bargain for the commonwealth," DuVal said.

* Increasing CNU's enrollment.

* Increasing the university's endowment by encouraging more investment through its private foundation. CNU's role with the Virginia Peninsula Eonomic Development Council and the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce also must be improved, DuVal said.

* Improving CNU's contribution to the Applied Research Center, a proposed facility in the Oyster Point area that will provide offices and meeting space for faculty from area colleges and universities working at nearby CEBAF.

DuVal said much of his excitement over the appointment is due to the fact that his three brothers and his wife, Cindy, all studied at the school.